Why Don't We Talk About This?

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Paula explores the importance of mental rest, the second of seven essential types that will be explored in this series. She explains the ways mental rest involves a break from constant mental stimulation, which is crucial for brain function and overall well-being. Paula highlights the challenges of achieving mental rest in a digitally-driven, fast-paced society, noting that cultural and personal responsibilities often hinder it. She poses suggestions of practices to utilize that can benefit our ability to increase mental rest as well as explores reasons that it isn’t talked about as well as reasons that we may not even allow ourselves to participate in increasing mental rest.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ challenges of mental rest in modern society
+ impact of digital stimulation
+ barriers to mental rest
+ stigma and cultural norms
+ importance and practical tips for increasing mental rest

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Paula discusses the importance of rest, emphasizing that it involves more than just sleep. She highlights seven types of rest that will be explored in this series, starting with physical rest, which includes sleep and gentle movement. She stresses the need for consistent rest to avoid burnout and improve overall health, including brain function and muscle recovery. She shares personal anecdotes and strategies to enhance physical rest and encourages listeners to prioritize rest and persistently work towards incorporating healthy rest practices into their daily routines.

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Julie returns to share highlights her and her twin sister’s adoption search in her new book, “Twice the Family” which covers their upbringing in a large Irish Catholic family. She highlights the unique bond twins share, challenges associated with a disabled sibling and the impact of infertility on her family. Julie emphasizes the importance of writing for personal healing, their own catharsis and understanding.

Guest Bio:

Julie Ryan McGue is an American writer, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. She writes about finding out who you are, where you belong and making sense of it. She is the author of two published works: Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging (She Writes Press, 2021), and Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship (Muse Literary, 2023). Her third book, Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood releases in February 2025.

Contact/Socials:
Facebook: juliemcguewrites
Instagram: julieryanmcgue
LinkedIn: Julie McGue
Goodreads: julieryanmcgue
X: juliermcgue

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Vanessa and Paula who are long time friends and former colleagues discuss their evolving friendship as well as the complexities of adult relationships. Vanessa highlights shared experiences, importance of honestly and the challenges associated with maintaining connections as we grow older. Emphasis is placed on the value of genuine, supportive friendships and the benefits of prioritizing self-care and boundaries.

Guest Bio:

Vanessa Cruz is an accomplished science educator based in New York City, bringing passion and expertise from her Dominican roots and Afro-Latina heritage. Holding dual master's degrees, she is dedicated to fostering educational excellence and equity. As a single mother of three children, Cruz is committed to raising the next generation with strong values of learning, social justice, and personal empowerment.

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Marci returns to speak with Paula about her new app, "Let's Talk About Money," designed to help take the guess work out and facilitate financial conversations. The app, available on Android, includes over 100 conversation starters to help users discuss various financial topics, such as debt and medical expenses. Marci emphasizes the importance of communication in financial relationships and shares her goal of making financial education accessible. Paula highlights the app's potential to bridge gaps in financial education and support diverse audiences.

Guest Bio:

Marci is a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) with a passion for financial literacy. Let's learn about money and let's talk about money by making financial literacy more accessible and less taboo.

Contact/Socials:
App: https://bit.ly/talkaboutmoneyapp
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: MoneyMarci
Instagram: money.marci
TikTok: marcigrossman
Website: www.moneymarci.com

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Debbie discusses the challenges of working with children in school settings, emphasizing the need for adults to develop their emotional intelligence. She highlights the impact of unresolved adult trauma on children and the importance of understanding the context behind children's behaviors. Gonzalez critiques the common practice of punishing children for misbehavior, such as withholding recess, and advocates for a more compassionate and empathetic approach. 

In this episode, you will hear:
+ the role environment and parental input
+ expectations and behavioral changes
+ impact of trauma and emotional intelligence
+ role of social workers and professional development
+ importance of community and consistency
+ addressing systemic issues and long-term solutions

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During this fun-size episode to get the ball rolling on our New Year, Paula discusses the cultural and personal pressures associated with resolutions and resistance towards them. She highlights the societal expectation to be productive, the intrinsic need to rest, explores the concept of resistance in therapy as well as the importance of understanding one's motivations.

In this episode, you will hear:

• resolutions and their cultural context
• concept of rest as resistance
• resistance in the therapeutic space
• alternatives to New Year’s resolutions
• cognitive restructuring for positive change

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In our highly anticipated Year-End "Ask Paula Anything - Vol.3" Episode, Paula dives into an array of questions submitted by our vibrant and supportive community of listeners. She shares her unique perspectives and offers a wealth of personalized feedback covering a variety of topics that resonate with many. Paula provides insightful suggestions and diverse strategies, serving as a catalyst for achieving even greater success as we eagerly anticipate 2025!

Social Work Professional Development - 10 CEUs
Retreat, Remix, Revive - Mar 21, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025
For More Information: https://bit.ly/4gzTkTW

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Cristino, a first-generation Salvadorian social worker, discusses his diverse roles, including forensic social worker and PhD student among others he currently holds. He emphasizes the evolving use of social media as a tool for connection and information dissemination. In addition, he critiques the social work licensing exams, arguing they perpetuate inequality and hinder entry into the profession as well as highlights the need for systemic change and the importance of social workers in leadership roles. Cristino shares a call to action, emphasizing the ongoing revolution in social work and the need for continuous transformation.

Guest Bio:
Cristino N. Chavez Jr. (he/him/his) is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP) and currently holds several roles including forensic social worker, adjunct professor at NYU Silver School of Social Work, board member, and an immigration court mental health consultant. Cristino received his BA in Psychology at SUNY Old Westbury and MSW at Adelphi University. Cristino is currently a doctoral student at Yeshiva University Wurzweiler School of Social Work, on his journey toward earning his Ph.D. in Social Welfare. His research, teaching, and practice focuses on criminal & juvenile justice, immigration, and social policy.

Contact/Socials:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @cnc_lmsw
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/cnc_lmsw

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Erica discusses the importance of mentorship in her career and the upcoming third volume of "Latinx in Social Work," which focuses on mentorship. She highlights her journey, including support from mentors referred to as Madrinas and the challenges she faced, including toxic work environments and betrayal. Erica emphasizes the role of community and collective action in overcoming these challenges. She also shares her transformation through holistic practices and the launch of Siembra Today, a nonprofit providing accessible mental health and wellness tools for BIPOC communities.

Guest Bio:
Erica Priscilla Sandoval is an award-winning mental health practitioner, speaker, executive coach, entrepreneur, podcaster, philanthropist, and author.

Erica is most recently the Executive Director of Siembra Today, a women-run, BIPOC-led nonprofit devoted to providing accessible mental health and wellness support through narrative storytelling, books, workshops, healing circles, conferences, and social media campaigns. Siembra Today’s goal is to destigmatize and promote mental health and wellness for the Latino/a/x/e and BIPOC community, so that they can plant seeds of hope for themselves and future generations.

Erica is also the founder and CEO of Sandoval Psychotherapy Consultation—known as Sandoval CoLab—which provides talk therapy, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), and holistic offerings. She is the creator of the book series Latinx/e in Social Work, personal narratives available in both English and Spanish that amplify the voices of Latinx/e social workers.

Erica holds a Post Master’s in Clinical Adolescent Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work from New York University, Silver School of Social Work. As a proud immigrant from Ecuador, her passion is fueled by supporting her community.

Contact/Socials
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericapsandoval/
Instagram: latinxinsocialwork, sandovalcolab, siembratoday
Websites: https://www.latinxinsocialwork.com/, https://www.sandovalcolab.com/, https://www.siembratoday.org/

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